Northampton MPs vote against Public having a say on Europe

8.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 5th Mar 2008

BOTH Northampton MP's, Sally Keeble and Brian Binley, have opposed a move in Parliament to give the public a vote on an 'in or out' referendum on Britain's future in Europe.

Liberal Democrats moved an amendment to the Lisbon treaty bill calling for a referendum on Britain's continued membership of the EU yet Labour and Conservative MP's voted together to oppose the move.

Commenting on the results Andrew Simpson, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Northampton North, said "I find it remarkable that both Labour and the Conservatives seem determined to deny the people of Britain a real say over our future in Europe. Liberal Democrats believe this would get to the heart of the current controversy over the Lisbon Treaty

"Both our Northampton MP's seem to be running scared on the issue - we need a full public debate about Europe and our role in it.

The Conservative attempt to get a vote over the narrow issue of the Lisbon Treaty is a smokescreen when the real issue is about Europe in or out'

"Lib Dems will continue to lead the argument for a referendum on our membership of the EU and will be proud to argue the case for our country taking a leading role in Europe."

ENDS